TGFB1 and fibrosis: Furthermore, piperine inhibited the production of TGF-β in the pancreas and pancreatic stellate cells, as well as TGF-β-induced pSMAD 2/3 activation, suggesting that the natural amide ameliorates pancreatic fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β/SMAD 2/3 signaling pathway during chronic pancreatitis [18].